2016 Kia K900 Best Buy Review

IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:

The K900 offers regal interior accommodations, limousine-like rear-seat space, refined V8 power, and a long list of comfort and convenience features while costing $20,000-$30,000 less than some of its competitors.

BUT…

Ride quality and handling finesse can’t quite match German rivals, and the V8 engine is rather thirsty.

WORTH NOTING:

K900 now offers a more-economical V6 engine in addition to a V8. A 311-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine joins the model roster for 2016 (it was originally slated to arrive as a mid-2015 addition).

WHAT IS IT?

The K900 is Kia’s flagship, a full-size 4-door sedan that offers Kia’s first V8 engine. Its plus-size dimensions and luxury-grade appointments inside and out place the K900 in our premium large-car category, even though Kia isn’t traditionally known as a high-end brand. The K900’s generous standard-equipment list includes Kia’s UVO infotainment system; Bluetooth phone and audio capability; blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, and lane-departure alerts; navigation system on a 9.2-inch screen; front and rear camera displays and parking sensors; heated front and rear seats; ventilated front seats; power trunk closer; power back-window shade; panoramic sunroof with power shade; and automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers. The optional VIP Package adds features such as power door latches, a surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control, and power-reclining rear seats. The K900 debuted in the American market for 2015, though it was launched as the K9 in Kia’s home country of North Korea in 2012. The K900 shares its basic underpinnings with the Hyundai Equus sedan.

WHAT’S NEW?

The K900 gains an available V6 powerplant and some minor front and rear styling revisions for 2016.

FUEL ECONOMY

In Consumer Guide® testing, a V8-powered K900 averaged 15.0 mpg in mostly city driving. EPA estimates are 15 city/23 highway for the V8, and 17/26 for the V6.

VALUE IN CLASS

Kia’s ambitious flagship sedan tops out at more than $66,000. That’s a big price leap for the brand, considering that most of Kia’s model lineup retails in the $20,000 to $40,000 range, but the K900 justifies its cost with truly impressive trimmings, a long list of standard and available equipment, a whisper-quiet cabin, and a convincingly high-end attitude. It’s expensive for a Kia, but something of a bargain when compared to traditional luxury-brand competitors.